Abstract
The present study provides evidence of primitively eusocial behavior in Augochlora amphitrite (Schrottky). Bees were reared in laboratory nests and observed throughout their nesting cycle. Introduced foundresses constructed nests solitarily, but upon the emergence of the first daughter their activities changed drastically, marking the onset of a social phase. The colonies presented two well defined female castes according to their physiology, size and behavior. Foundresses monopolized oviposition, displayed low rates of nest construction, guarding, and pollen collection, they were the individuals that initiated social interactions, and were statistically larger. Daughter bees were smaller, with undeveloped ovaries, performed most tasks at the nest and were the subordinate individuals in social interactions.
Highlights
Augochlora Smith is a New World genus of halictid bees with a wide distribution, ranging from southern Canada to the Pampean Region in Argentina, where five species occur (Dalmazzo & Roig-Alsina, 2011)
Focal sampling was used to trace the behavior of individuals; the number of times that each individual performed each activity or interaction from the behavioral catalogue was recorded on nests that contained daughter females
The behavioral catalogue is the same as the catalog detailed for A. phoemonoe (Dalmazzo & Roig-Alsina, 2015)
Summary
Augochlora Smith is a New World genus of halictid bees with a wide distribution, ranging from southern Canada to the Pampean Region in Argentina, where five species occur (Dalmazzo & Roig-Alsina, 2011). M Dalmazzo, A Roig-Alsina – Eusocial behavior in colonies of Augochlora amphitrite one color indicated to which nest a female belonged (same color as her mother), and the other one allowed to discriminate between daughters of the same nest. Focal sampling was used to trace the behavior of individuals; the number of times (frequency counts) that each individual performed each activity or interaction from the behavioral catalogue was recorded on nests that contained daughter females.
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